Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Hardest matchups for the secondary in 2019

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 16: Members of the Pittsburgh Steelers defense reacts after an interception by Joe Haden #23 in the fourth quarter during the game against the New England Patriots at Heinz Field on December 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 02: Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs to avoid a tackle attempt by Mike Hilton #28 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second quarter during the game at Heinz Field on December 2, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

2. Keenan Allen (Los Angeles Chargers) – Week 6

The Steelers faced off against Keenan Allen and the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 13 last season. Allen ended up having a field day against Pittsburgh. He hauled in 14 receptions for 148 yards and a touchdown on 19 targets. His performance was only bested by then-Steeler Antonio Brown, who recorded 10 receptions, 154 yards, and a touchdown on 13 targets.

No other Chargers wide receiver was targeted more than three times, which just shows how much the offense was revolving around Allen. Melvin Gordon didn’t even play, so the Steelers could have focused almost entirely on the passing game, and Allen still went off. Actually, Gordon not playing might have been good practice for the Chargers considering the standoff he’s in with the team’s front office.

While Allen isn’t a top-tier wide receiver, he has averaged 80.9 yards per game over the past two seasons. During that span, he also has 199 receptions, 2,589 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns. It’s a shame he couldn’t stay healthy early in his career because he would have put up good career numbers in the Chargers offense.

Like Hilton, Allen’s lethality is enhanced by who is throwing him the ball. Philip Rivers is a future Hall of Fame quarterback. He doesn’t need a Super Bowl to get a gold jacket. The eight-time Pro Bowler is coming off of a season where he was in the MVP discussion. Allen and Rivers will continue to be a deadly duo in 2019. Now, the Chargers just need to resolve that Gordon situation.

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